Forest Hill Pools now open

[Chris Best]

Glowing from a wonderful swim and tour of Forest Hill Pools - everything I would have wished for and expected to see. The significance of the occasion comes from the aspirations of the many local people who have worked so hard to see this building saved and now re-developed. I am absolutely delighted to see the wonderful job that has been done redeveloping the pools to modern standards, while retaining features like the historic Victorian frontage.

This is a striking development but perhaps its most important dimension is that it’s the result of joint working between local stakeholders and the Council to achieve a shared goal. Architects Roberts Limbrick and building contractors Willmott Dixon have carried out a magnificent job in delivering this project on schedule and providing a sustainable future for such a well-loved local building that will benefit the community for many years to come.

Fusion have finished the fit out to a very high standard with state of the art gym equipment as well as a fantastic cafe - I left residents out on the terrace enjoying the last of our summer sun as I walked back to Sydenham over the Dacres Road footbridge.

A big thank you to everyone that has made this happen and I look forward to seeing you all at the Community Day and official opening next Saturday 22nd September http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/eve ... rates.aspx to celebrate a fantastic achievement.

Cllr Chris Best - representing Sydenham and Chair of the Stakeholder Group for Forest Hill Pools
http://www.chrisbest.org

[sydeman]

Just been and joined up. Its very impressive, clean, airy, modern and feels very welcoming and the facilities look great. Well done to all...better than LA Fitness anyday

[Blushingsnail]

A reminder that the Official Opening of the new Forest Hill pools takes place tomorrow (Saturday 22 September), along with a day of entertainment and activities, plus offers from local shops as part of their 'Totally Locally' campaign.

"On Saturday 22 September, Forest Hill celebrates the official opening of Forest Hill Pools with a day long feast of entertainment, activities and fun throughout the area. Forest Hill Pools will be one of the main focus areas with taster sessions, tours of the new facility, exhibitions and more.

But don't miss the Victorian theme in Forest Hill Library with story telling sessions, the chance to record your memories of Forest Hill in days gone by and some creative writing opportunities. There's fun for the whole family with Wii gaming in the library, entertainers throughout the day, traditional Victorian board games and free Victorian sweets.

The day will also be a chance to find out more about the Portas Pilot - an initiative to help regenerate the area and drop in on Sydenham School as they celebrate their 95th anniversary. Look out too for special offers from local traders in their Totally Locally campaign and amazing original art and design from the artists of Havelock Walk."

(http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/eve ... rates.aspx)

Activities:

Date : 22 September Time : All day
Photography exhibition past and present - Location : Forest Hill Pools

Time : 10am, 12 noon, 2pm
Power Plate demonstration - Location : Forest Hill Pools

Time : 10am, 10.30am, 12 noon, 1pm, 2.30pm
Taster sessions of activity classes in the fitness suite - Location : Forest Hill Pools

Time : 11am
Saxon Crown Swimming Club display - Location : Forest Hill Pools

Time : 11am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm
Boot camp: Taster sessions in the gym - Location : Forest Hill Pools

Time : 11am, 2pm
Guided tour of Forest Hill Pools

Time : 1pm
History of Forest Hill Pools: A talk by local historian, Steve Grindlay - Location : Forest Hill Pools

Time : 1-2pm
Underwater hockey: Demonstration and a taster session - Location : Forest Hill Pools

Time : 3pm
Inflatables session for the whole family - Location : Forest Hill Pools

Time : All day
Photographic exhibition and memory collection of Forest Hill pool and library past and present
Location - Forest Hill Library

Time : From 10am throughout the day
Victorian storytelling - Location : Forest Hill Library

Time : 12 noon-1.45pm
Wii gaming session - Location : Forest Hill Library

Time : 2–3.30pm
Poetry reading and workshops: a chance for 8-12 year olds to read, write and discover poetry - Location : Forest Hill Library

Time : 3.30pm
Forest Hill writers' group - Location : Forest Hill Library

Shopping:

Shoppers will be able to collect a map showing the location of the offers from the Totally Locally stall at the official opening of Forest Hill Pools.

The shopping deals on offer will include:

- Any Totally Awesome 12 inch pizza for a Fiver at Question Bar
- A Totally Beautiful Bunch of Flowers for a Fiver at Laurels Florist
- A Totally Bootylicious Fiver deal on a selection of knickers at The Fitting Studio
- A Totally Brilliant offer of three cards for a Fiver at B cards
- A Totally Campervantastic free camper van book with any store purchase at Campervantastic
- A Totally Cool free pair of Children's Disney Character Sunglasses when you spend over £5 on the children's character range at Marie's Boutique
- A Totally Crackers £5 deal on a selection of takeaway meals at Tse's Chinese
- A Totally Dappy £5 off your purchase when you spend £15 or more at Dapper
- A Totally Dazzling £5 Jewellery festival plus £5 off all purchase over £50 at Doopo Doopo
- A Totally Edible 6oz Burger with Fries for a Fiver at lunch and dinner at All Inn One
- A Totally Fabulous voucher for £5 off any hairdressing or spray tan service over £25 at Mirror Mirror. (One per customer and not to be used in conjunction with any other promotion or discount. To be used before October 31st)
- A Totally Gobstoppering 100g bag of sweets free at Sugar Mountain when you spend a Fiver
- A Totally Gorgeous offer of buy any 2 items and get the 3rd for £5 (*cheapest item) with a free glass of bubbly upon entry at Best of Both Boutique
- A Totally Herbally 4 herbs for a Fiver (normally £1.69 each) at Shannon's Garden Centre
- A Totally Hilarious 2 tickets for a fiver for the comedy on Sept. 22nd at 9pm for at The Hob. That's a saving of £8
- A Totally Magnificant £5 off with every £20 spent, plus free Victorian themed sweets and beverages served all day at Bunka
- A Totally Potty choice of panini from the Totally Locally Menu with any drink and a home made brownie for a Fiver at The Teapot
- A Totally Proper pint or a Pimms with a pancake for a Fiver at Canvas and Cream
- A Totally Radical £5 off all purchases over £50 at Finches Ski and Bike
- A Totally Relaxing Coffee and a Sandwich for a Fiver at Aga's Little Deli
- A Totally Satisfying Half Dipped Beef Sandwich and a drink for a Fiver at Sylvan Post. There will also be a carnival atmosphere with live bands and prizes, cocktails and capers
- A Totally Spicy £5 off eat in meal between 5.30-7.30 pm at Thai Orchard
- A Totally Staggering £10 worth of haberdashery for a Fiver, or a 'mind-Bowing' £5 off any workshop booked on the day at Stag and Bow
- A Totally Tropical and Delicious selection of medium meat and vegetarian dishes for a Fiver at Black Hummingbird
- A Totally Watchable 3 DVDs for a Fiver at For Your Eyes Only

(http://www.foresthillsociety.com/2012/0 ... cally.html)

[Eagle]

Before I go along please assure me that their is no discrimination sessions ( ladies only for instance ).

[Chris Best]

Fantastic turnout for the fun day at Forest Hill Pools - here is the timetable http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/cms_upl ... 6%20WR.PDF with a range of sessions.

Great day for Forest Hill with Sydenham School celebrating 95 years, offers from Totally Locally, Chrissie Gittens reading Swimming at Forest Hill, Steve Grindlay talking about the local heritage plus interest in the future of Louise House.

The session on the latest SEE3, the Portas Pilot for Forest Hill, Kirkdale and Sydenham was well received with the posts now being advertised for The Shop Revolution and Market Makers. Please see the web site http://www.see3.co.uk/ for more information.

[alywin]

Looks good from the outside, at least . I'd welcome a change from LA Fitness: I've never felt comfortable in that pool.

[danstevens]

Hopefully just teething issues but the three times I have visited there has been an issue with reception. Under staffed or "system down". Yesterday morning the queue at reception was so long we went back home!